# NTSB LAX00LA038: Smith, Ted Aerostar Aerostar 600, N97CC, Avalon, CA, November 21, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 21, 1999, 10:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Avalon, CA - Coordinates: 33.379486, -118.449195 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3795&lon=-118.4492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47826 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47826/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA038 ## Probable cause The pilot's in-flight loss of control due to physical incapacitation from sudden cardiac death secondary to an acute myocardial infarction. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot/owner was performing a post maintenance check flight about 20 miles off shore. He was receiving visual flight advisories from a terminal radar approach facility while in level flight about 4,900 feet msl. Subsequently, the airplane started slowing then descending in a right spiral, and radar contact was lost about 1,000 feet msl. The pilot's body was recovered from the ocean. According to the autopsy report, the pilot had experienced sudden cardiac death secondary to an acute myocardial infarction due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. Tramadol, a painkiller not approved by the FAA for flight, was detected in a drug screen and may have masked the chest pain. ## Factual narrative On November 21, 1999, about 1015 hours Pacific standard time, a Smith Aerostar 600, N97CC, descended into the Pacific Ocean near Avalon, California. The airline transport rated pilot, the sole occupant, received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, was destroyed in the collision sequence and sank to the ocean bottom. No flight plan was filed for the local area flight, which originated at Fullerton, California, about 0930. According to a family member, the pilot was accomplishing a post maintenance flight check. Review of information and radar data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) disclosed that the pilot was receiving visual flight advisories from Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control. At 1015, radar contact was lost on the 200-degree radial of the Seal Beach VOR at 20 miles. Recorded radar data revealed that the mode C return was level at 4,900 feet mean sea level (msl) and exhibited a slowing ground speed. The secondary beacon returns then started a descending right spiral and radar contact was lost at 1,000 feet msl. The pilot's body was recovered from the ocean and an autopsy was conducted by the Los Angeles County Coroner's office. According to the autopsy report, the pilot had experienced sudden cardiac death secondary to an acute myocardial infarction due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. The attesting pathologist opined that the event began from 30 minutes to several hours before the pilot's death. Tramadol, a painkiller not approved by the FAA for flight, was detected in blood and tissue samples submitted for toxicological tests. The pathologist stated that the drug may have masked the chest pain symptoms of the cardiac event. The aircraft was not recovered. Review of the maintenance records disclosed that on November 5, 1999, the oil was changed on both engines. During engine run-up a "hot" or non-grounding magneto was found on the right engine. A loose "P" lead for grounding the magneto was discovered and reattached. At the same time, a broken exhaust flange was discovered on the No. 6 engine cylinder. Subsequently, the entire exhaust system and a gas temperature probe were replaced on the right engine. According to maintenance records, the last annual inspection occurred on July 16, 1999. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N97CC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97CC-2000-03-31), registration cancelled 2000-03-31, S/N 600154068 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Smith, Ted Aerostar AEROSTAR 600 (AEROSTAR 6) - Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 600](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-600) (registry code 8360602) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 600154068 - Airframe hours: 4199 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540 290 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Walter L. Cecil - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1999, 1 hours before - Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,710 total, 851 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LGB, 20 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19991121041129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991121041129A), Nov 21, 1999: Piper PA60600, Avalon, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) The a/c departed fullerton, CA airport, was conducting "airwork" off the coast south of seal beach, CA. At 1015 PDT radar and radio contact was lost when… ## Other investigations on N97CC (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB IAD77FID21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD77FID21), Jun 21, 1977: Aerostar 600 (N97CC), South Hill, VA, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.